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To celebrate the upcoming 15 year anniversary of their legendary Jane Doe album, CONVERGE will perform the album in its entirety for the first and last time on April 14, 2016. The album is considered a classic that defined the metallic hardcore genre as we know it today. This special set is exclusive to the 2016 Roadburn Festival and will not be played again anywhere, ever.

Two days later on April 16, 2016, the band will perform as CONVERGE “Blood Moon” collaborative set featuring guest musicians Chelsea Wolfe, Ben Chisholm, Stephen Brodsky (CAVE IN), and Steve Von Till (NEUROSIS). Together as a multi-instrumental group they will create renditions of existing CONVERGE material focusing on the band’s slower, more ambitious work within their legendary catalog.

2011 was a very productive and enjoyable year for extreme music, perhaps the best in years. Thus, it was not an easy task choosing what we enjoyed best since they were just so many. 2011 also gave us unforgettably bad albums by LOU REED and METALLICA, flops by THE HAUNTED as well as controversial ones by MORBID ANGEL.

We look forward to another strong year in 2012 in which we will celebrate our 10 years online. Cheers for all of your support in 2011! Radikult!!Continue reading →

DOOMRIDERS‘ impressive debut, Black Thunder, was an exciting, gritty don’t-give-a-fuck metal record with MAIDEN dual-guitar harmonies, a sometimes-DANZIG croon, and death ‘n roll edge of late 90’s era ENTOMBED. Their anticipated follow-up, Darkness Come Alive, deliver a lot of those same influences, albeit in a more refined manner. Where Black Thunder had a fun party vibe, Darkness Come Alive is focused and captures a more serious tone.

Fronted by CONVERGE bassist, Nate Newton, on guitars and vocals, the screamer bellows with a distinct yet understandable growl that, along with their dual-guitar harmonies, really characterizes the band. The album begins with their “signature” harmonized guitars in “Heavy Lies the Crown,” a midpaced number that really sets the tone for the rest of the album. Unfortuantely, tempos never get too much faster than that, but the album is all about the guitars and song arrangements. “Knife Wound” then picks up the pace a bit. The track is full of strong breakdowns and is less reliant on the guitar harmonies. The album continues without straying far from their established bark. Some highlights include “Crooked Path,” “Lions,” “Mercy,” and closing track “Rotter.” Though there really are no weak songs.

The rest of the band, JR Conners (CAVE IN), Jebb Riley (DISAPPEAR), and Chris Pupecki (CAST IRON HIKE) are no slouches. They’re a tight unit exhibiting no entry-level flaws. And production, by CONVERGE‘s Kurt Ballou at his Godcity Studios is praise-worthy. The mix is full and deliciously bass-heavy.

Darkness Come Alive perhaps isn’t quite the “expected” follow-up to Black Thunder, but it’s a thoroughly solid album of heavy music that isn’t to be labeled “this-core” or “that-core.” It’s just heavy fucking metal! (Deathwish Inc.)

Hydra Head Records has announced their second ever Champions of Sound Tour. Originally devised in 2003 and also featuring label staples and instrumental metal masters, PELICAN, this year’s trek sees avant-metal pioneers KAYO DOT, supporting their latest Blue Lambency Downward, and CAVE-IN frontman Stephen Brodsky (aka Stove Bredsky), support his psychedelic rock outing that is the Black Ribbon Award. Joining the bill in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, are the almighty ZOZOBRA.